Tag: Who am I?

There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbours came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically.

“It is what it is,” the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbours exclaimed.

“It is what it is,” replied the old man. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown off violently, and broke his leg. The neighbours again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. “It is what it is,” answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbours congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “It is what it is,” said the farmer.

– Author Unknown

It is what it is. It is neither good nor bad; nor positive or negative. It just is.

According to Ayurveda, being healthy does not mean absence of disease. The wisdom of this Science of Life (Ayurveda) says for an individual to be called “healthy” it needs to take into account each and every individual’s unique personality, habits, and emotions. Who we are- our unique personality and our mental and physical characteristics make us totally special and unique. To the trained Ayurveda practitioner “who we are” can be read like a “blueprint” to lead us to good health and vitality.

What is this blueprint made up of?

Those who practice Ayurveda believe every person is made of five basic elements found in the universe: space, air, fire, water, and earth.

These combine in the human body to form three life forces or energies, called doshas. They control how your body works. They are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Each one of us is made up of the combination of these three Doshas. Most of us have one or two doshas to be dominant, with third one to be passive. This makes up our unique blueprint or prakriti (constitution) in accordance with Ayurvedic principles. Each Dosha controls a different body function. It’s believed that your chances of getting sick- and the health issues you develop- are linked to the balance (or imbalance) of your Doshas.

The Doshas:

Ayurveda states that there are three Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The Doshas are your body type, which includes your metabolic constitution, your personality, and your physical characteristics. By understanding what makes us unique, we can make better decisions as to how they relate to our diet, lifestyle, and mental health.

The Doshas are found throughout the human body and mind. They govern all physical and mental process and provide every living being with an individual blueprint for health and fulfilment.

The Doshas derive from the Five Elements and their related properties.

Vata is composed of Space and Air and is said to have all of the features listed below:

Pitta of Fire and Water and is said to have all of the features listed below:

Kapha of Earth and Water and is said to have all of the features listed below:

So, I bet you are now dying to find out what Dosha you are! There are many online tests out there that can give you an idea of what your Dosha is but for those really serious (or simply curious) about Ayurveda, I recommend seeing an Ayurvedic practitioner.

You know that feeling when you read something that really hits home? That feeling when you hear a song that speaks to your soul. When you read or hear something that you deeply connect with, that explains exactly how you feel in a way that you could never quite put into words? Well that’s what I want to share with you today…

Scars can be hard to come to terms with. They are a constant reminder of how they came to be and can be a painful reminder of something which made such a mark on your body and your soul.

As the group farewelled me goodbye from my hospital bed, I was presented with a present- a book called ‘Little Bee’ written by Chris Cleave. Whilst in hospital, the book lay there unopened. I just didn’t have the energy or desire to read. But on my return home to Australia and back to my parents’ home where I would live for the next 22 or so months, I picked it up one night when I couldn’t sleep and it just spoke- or should I say screamed- to me.

I was feeling miserable because I couldn’t walk. I hated feeling helpless and not being able to do anything for myself. But most of all I hated the horrible scar that ran down the outer side of my right leg; it was ugly and made my ankle and leg look deformed and worst of all it was a constant reminder of everything that I couldn’t do and that I had to give up.

Then I turned the page and read: “I ask you right here please to agree with me that a scar is never ugly. That is what the scar makers want us to think. But you and I, we must make an agreement to defy them. We must see all scars as beauty. Okay? This will be our secret. Because take it from me, a scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived.” and immediately I felt better. I read the words over again and the resonated with me wholly. Perhaps, my scars were not as ugly as I thought they were. Perhaps these scars meant that I was stronger than I thought. Perhaps, instead my scars were actually a sign of my inner strength and perseverance and most of all perhaps I should stop feeling sorry for myself. This one quote allowed me to be thankful that it was over and that I was beginning to heal.

“Some people see scars and it is the wounding they remember. To me they are proof of the fact they’re healing.”- Linda Hogan

Wounds heal and so can we heal our pasts. However that does not mean that the pain ceases to exist. It doesn’t mean that you never have to face up to the pain but instead what it does mean is that we are able to heal. When we look up and look around and acknowledge where we have been, we will never allow our past to stop where we can go.

A scar means “I survived”. A scar means we have a life to live, with all the pain and joy and confusion that life can hold.

It is funny how people and things come into your life just when you need them most. So, here’s my question to my readers out there, have you ever read or heard something that you deeply connect with, that explains exactly how you feel in a way that you could never quite put into words? If so, I’d love to hear about it!